Space Expo

We are dedicated to providing high-quality STEM education made accessible through a pop culture atmosphere. The Space Expo brings together the Space and Entertainment industries in order to strengthen them by fostering interest and creating future scientists and engineers.

Upcoming Panels

Virgin Orbit: Expanding Access to Space from Long Beach to Orbit

Small, affordable satellites are revolutionizing the way we explore space and study our home planet – but only if they can find an affordable, reliable way to launch into orbit. Virgin Orbit is developing LauncherOne, a new dedicated small-satellite launch vehicle. In design and construction in Long Beach, LauncherOne will be air-launched from a 747 and deliver satellites for space-based worldwide Internet, Earth observation, and asteroid hunting. LauncherOne is a 21st-century rocket, taking advantage of new developments in 3D printing and composites. On this panel, hear directly from some of the rocket scientists who are making the small satellite revolution happen.

Panelists: Matt Wierman, Hannah McCallum

The Science of the Acme Product Catalogue

Let’s take on Toontown! From portable holes and giant magnets to rocket shoes and spring-loaded boxing gloves, we’ll show you what is possible in the world of cartoon physics.

Moderator: Daniel J. Glenn – The Analytical Mastermind

Panelists: Dr. Michael Dennin, Ben Siepser

The Science of Black Panther’s Baadasssss Arsenal

Travel to Wakanda and break down all the Vibranium-based gadgets of the Marvel Universe. From EMP balls to energy absorption, we’ll cover the spectrum of what endless power can do!

Moderator: Daniel J. Glenn

Panelists: Dr. Michael Dennin and Ben Siepser

Martian Family: What’s Happening with the Mars Rovers

Find out everything that’s happening with all of the rovers on Mars, and find out about the 2020 rover from the very people who build and drive them!

Women of Mars

Hear from the women who drive rovers on Mars and analyze the information they send back to Earth. They’ll also talk about their experiences in STEM fields and the roles women are playing in the ever-changing landscape of space exploration.

Dawn Debrief

With the Dawn mission coming to an end this fall, catch up on the science this pioneering spacecraft has done while exploring the asteroid belt and how NASA plans to end the mission!

So You Want to Build an R2?

Did you know there’s a whole club of people dedicated to building R2-D2 and other droids of Star Wars? Come learn the basics and see what it takes to build your own Astromech droid from folks who are building their own!

Saturday September 8

The Cassini spacecraft ended its nearly two-decade mission on September 15th 2017 following a fiery re-entry into Saturn’s atmosphere. Together, we take a journey with this decades-spanning mission, from Cassini’s launch from Cape Canaveral to its final transmissions high above Saturn, along the way discovering the ground-breaking science revealed at Saturn and what it means to explore the cosmos.

Meet some of the women directly responsible for the operation and safety of our Mars rovers exploring one of our closest planetary neighbors. Learn about what it takes to become a rover driver, how they analyze the information they send back, and what it’s like planing for the next generation of rovers heading to Mars starting in 2020. They will also dive into their experiences in academics and advancing their careers in a heavily male-dominated industry.

The Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity has been exploring the surface of Mars for over 14 years now. What exactly has this plucky, solar-powered rover been doing? How do you drive a Mars rover? Is Opportunity experiencing the temperamental teenage years? Come find out from multiple team members how the rover is doing, what it’s been up to, and how they control the day to day life of Opportunity. Also, we check in and see how Oppy is doing after getting lost in a dust storm earlier this summer!

Daniel J. Glenn, Dr. Michael Dennin, and Ben Siepser travel to Wakanda and break down all the Vibranium-based gadgets of the Marvel Universe. From EMP balls, to energy absorption, they cover the spectrum of what endless power can do!

Daniel J. Glenn, Dr. Michael Dennin and Ben Siepser take on Toontown. From portable holes, giant magnets, rocket shoes, and spring-loaded boxing gloves, they will show you what is capable in the world of cartoon physics.

Author Mark A. Altman discusses SO SAY WE ALL, his new oral history of Battlestar Galactica from Tor Books, and celebrates the series’ 40th anniversary with a discussion about the original series, the brilliant 2004 re-imagination and, yes, even GALACTICA 1980. By Your Command. Altman will be signing limited copies of SO SAY WE ALL at table E31 on Saturday.

Are you a new artist wondering what to put in your portfolio? Are you an artist wondering why editors aren’t chasing you down? Are you just curious what the word “portfolio” means? Bring your curiosity and questions to the experts! Veteran editor Barbara Randall Kesel and artist Steve Ellis (THE ONLY LIVING BOY) will help you make sure your portfolio’s doing its job to help you get jobs!

Sunday September 9

Jupiter’s moon Europa has long been a high priority for exploration because beneath its icy crust lies a salty, liquid water ocean. What will NASA’s Europa Clipper mission find when it heads for this intriguing moon in the 2020s?

What is science literacy and why does it matter? What are the effects of good and bad representations of science in media? Is it important for writers to include good scientific role models in their work? And what’s the effect if we lack heroes who practice reason and empirical modes of thinking? Join moderator Jonathan Callan (JUSTICE LEAGUE ACTION, Game Designer) for a conversation with writers, scientists and engineers about the good — and the bad — portrayals of science in popular culture.

Small, affordable satellites are revolutionizing the way we explore space and study our home planet—but only if they can find an affordable, reliable way to launch into orbit. Virgin Orbit is developing LauncherOne, a new dedicated small-satellite launch vehicle. Designed and constructed in Long Beach, LauncherOne will be air-launched from a 747 and deliver satellites for space-based worldwide Internet, Earth observation, and asteroid hunting. LauncherOne is a 21st century rocket, taking advantage of new developments in 3D printing and composites. On this panel, hear directly from some of the rocket scientists and space salespeople who are making the small satellite revolution happen

What do TIE fighters and Dawn have in common? Is there a Hoth-like planet hidden in the main asteroid belt? Find out the answers to these questions and learn more about the Dawn spacecraft, which has been orbiting the dwarf planet Ceres since March 2015. In this talk, follow along with Dawn’s journey through time to explore some of the largest objects in the main asteroid belt and learn about the engineering behind the mission and the science that’s come out of it, including all of the latest mission updates and how the sun will set on Dawn when its mission comes to an end soon.

Did you know there’s a whole club of people dedicated to building R2-D2 and the other droids of Star Wars? Come learn the basics and see what it takes to build your own Astromech droid from folks that are building their own!